Pitfalls of A Voice Actor's Comfort Zone

I get it. The days can be a real slog. You wake, work out, eat, shower, coffee (more coffee) and then begin auditioning. Maybe you get booked. Good for you! It’s your lucky day! 

And the next morning? Yeah, it starts all over again. That one booking didn’t change your life, did it. And before you know it, you’re living Groundhog Day.

But you keep on trying, because that’s what you’re supposed to do. And maybe you’re content…or complacent. Or maybe voicing children’s toys is all you’ve ever wanted to do, so you’re investing all your energy into that, and passing on all other auditions that aren’t Mattel-centric. Know something? Life’s gonna beat you down if you don't reach out of your comfort zone and try new genres, take new coaching, or learn new things..like all about AI SEO search or bookkeeping (boring & confusing, but necessary). Will Rogers, always full of funny quips, said “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” So. Are you roadkill? Are you watching others fly by in the fast lane? I get that it can be hard to focus on our dream direction when we’re at the mercy of what opportunities are fed to us. You want to maintain focus. If not many toy auditions are popping up, you may be tempted to sit and wait. If you have a passionate drive to be the next toy of the year, that takes some serious work and effort, but not at the expense of growing as an artist.

For instance, you can organize your auditions. If you really want to do Audiobook recording, start your day by pulling up all the audiobook auditions you can find. Do those. And then since narrations lean long-form like audiobooks, and you’ve just been working your storytelling skills, do those next. Close out your day with some spots. Maybe you’ll run across one for Audible! You’re still being productive, you’re just prioritizing your passions while looking for opportunity.A

nd you know that as voice actors, we’re pretty much a one man show. That means that if you clear your treasured audiobook auditions, there’s time to optimize your LinkedIn profile page, do some cold outreach to audiobook publishers, or polish your website.

Personally, I really find that taking control of my schedule helps me to feel less like I’m on a hamster wheel, and more like I’m actually cruising down the freeway in a Maserati…or at least my Corolla Hybrid.

So don’t just sit on your track. Reach out into other, related genres, and tackle those all important business and marketing skills. You’ll be more well-rounded for it, and ready to pounce when that golden opportunity arrives!